Matthew 20: The Upside Down Kingdom by Dr. Thomas Chung dated 14.8.16

Introduction

This sermon is based on Matthew Chapter 20.  Interesting the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard was only recorded in Gospel of Matthew, the others did not record it.  John ony recorded it parabolicaly.  God used earthly story to explain what He wanted to say.  There are two aspects of a parable: 

              a) conceal – cannot be seen

              b) reveal  – can be seen

In chapter 20: 1-16 God had conceal and reveal about the meaning of the parable.

There are 4 parts to chapter 20:1-16:

      1)      Speaking to the individual

      2)      Speaking to the church

      3)      The emphasis on the Cross

      4)      Compassion of Jesus

The Upside down Kingdom

God’s kingdom is different from the worldly Kingdom and sometimes things in God’s kingdom are upside down as compared to the worldly kingdom.  In God’s kingdom, Christian leadership rested upon humility and servant hood.  The labourers in the vineyard considered God being not fair to them.  The world talks about fairness, but the Bible spoke of being just.  Being just is living by the Law, where as being fair is about equality.  This Parable deals with justice as well as equality.

vs 4. Worker was paid what was “right”.  The payment was the same regardless of how many hours of work.  The workers said it was unfair to pay the same amount for different hours of work.  But how dare one question God?  Jesus said He did no wrong for He paid one denarius as agreed by the workers.

vs.16 “so the last will be first, and the first will be last” – upside down kingdom that’s opposite to worldly kingdom.

Parables do not lay down laws unlike commandment.  They were not taught to obey any commandment.  Parables are pictorial illustrations like paintings.  Two aspects of parable: a) person of God B) work of God.

Character of God :

      1)      God is sovereign, He knows what He is doing, He is in charge no matter what happens in this world.

      2)      God is just.  The parable did not go against the justice of God. He is just and He will always do the right things.

      3)      Man looks on the outside, God looks at the heart.

      4)      Man is more concerned with quantity, God is concerned about quality.

      5)      Parable showed the length of time in work was less important than how one did the work.

      6)      Commendations for those who did good.

      7)      God is a generous God.  Like Luke 6:38  “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  The generosity of God is not haphazard and not unfair.  The parable of the workers in the vineyard is about God’s grace.

Conclusion

God did not underpay those who work longer in the fields.  He paid as agreed “on the day’s wage”.  He is always just.  He gave us a great gift of salvation with eternal life.  God is generous and full of grace.  God is just, He is gracious, He is truth.  Whatever He does is of love.

Matthew 16 by Dr. Thomas Chung dated 17.7.2016

Introduction

During this time, the scenario was that Jesus was facing three type of people:

           a)       The Romans

           b)      Herodians who were placed there by Caesar

           c)       Jewish shariah courts – they were the Pharisees and Sadducees

The Scribes who were mostly Pharisees were religious professionals.

Usually the Pharisees and Sadducees were opponents who were at odds with each other, however, they had an alliance to confront Jesus.  In fact, the Pharisees, Sadducees, the Priests, the Scribes, the Herodians formed alliance to get rid of Jesus.  They had no power from God, but they had religious power and using this power to attack Jesus and to bring benefits to themselves.

Jesus was walking in many minefields.  How can He avoid these minefields?

In Matthew chapter 6:1 the Jews demanded a sign from heaven.  In Vs 2, 3, 4 Jesus said there was only the sign of Jonah.  If the Jews knew what he was talking about they would have known the answers.  Jesus used this parable to a) concealed the truth to those who did not want to understand b) revealed the truth to those who understood.  The disciples were concerned with not bringing the bread in Vs. 5.  But Jesus rebuked them saying didn’t they witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 with a few loaves and a few fishes?  They were concerned with the physical whereas Jesus was concerned with the spiritual.  Vs. 11 Jesus warned about the yeasts of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Jesus was actually talking about the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  Vs.14 to Vs.16. Jesus asked the disciples who they though He was.  Simon said He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Jesus replied that God gave him the knowledge.  Vs.21 Jesus said preaching and teaching to the people was more important than miraculous signs.  For many had seen signs and wonders and yet did not believe in God.

The Parable of Jonah – representing Jesus dying for 3 days and 3 nights before being resurrected.  Peter that this could not happened, but Jesus rebuked him saying, “Satan get behind me”. Vs. 24 the Cross is central to the Gospel.  The work of the Cross is important.  It is suffering which is the mark of the Cross.  We are to take up our Crosses daily.  We are to suffer when we follow Jesus.

We are saved by faith but we are rewarded by our works.

Christianity and Politics

Politics and religion had an unholy alliance in this scenario.  The Jews asked Jesus to show signs from heaven because they wanted to trap Him.  The two groups of religious people, that is the Pharisees and Sadducees had conflicted beliefs.  The Sadducees did not believe in the Resurrection whereas the Pharisees were religious fundamentalists who kept strict rules and laws.  In a way, the Sadducees were not so strict in their beliefs.  However, laws and rules were not as important as the message from God.  To the Pharisees following strict rules and laws were more important to them.  The actions were more important than the spirit of the actions.  They were majoring on the minor so to speak.  The Pharisees and Sadducees avoided each other.  The Sadducees were political elites.  The Pharisees were religious elites.

 

Significance of signs and wonders

There are two types a) signs of physical wonders e.g the weather where sky may turned red etc b) spiritual significant.

Jesus was interested in the spiritual signs, those were signs of building our faith in God.  Jesus used the sign of Jonah as He was preaching to those who wanted to hear and understand.  Those who did not want to hear they have to move on.  The sign of Jonah was the sign of the Cross.  The Cross is planted into the heart of evangelism, the Gospel and Salvation.  The first person to gain from the Cross was the thief who begged Jesus to save him.

Pre-occupation of the disciples

The disciples were interested in the physical state saying “we brought no bread”. Jesus addressed this issue in parabolic manner.  In other example, like the woman at the well.  She was talking about physical thirst but Jesus addressed her spiritual thirst and that He could give her spring of water so she will never thirst again.

Power of recall

The disciples were easy to forget that Jesus had fed the 5,000 and 4,000 with few loaves and fishes.  Why talked about not bringing bread?  We usually do not connect physical things with spiritual things.

Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Leaven in the yeasts initials a chemical reaction in the bread that makes it to expand.  Leaven signified evil. 

          a)       Leaven of the Pharisees – dead religion.  It kills through spirituality.  Jesus said they were going through the motion rather than worshipping God.

          b)      Leaven of the Sadducees – liberal theology.  E,g did not believe in the Resurrection.  Watered down theology, cut away parts of the Scripture that did not conformed to what they wanted.  We need parallel truth – faith and work.  They are on both strips of a railway track.  Grace balance by obedience to God.  Son-ship balanced by servant hood.  Christ centred Christianity.  Revealetion is the heart of faith as revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Good intentions doe not serve God.  E.g Peter’s good intention when he said Jesus should not die.  But Jesus’ intentions were always God’s intentions.  E.g at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus cried “Your will be done”.

Christian discipleship

To follow Jesus, we must deny ourselves.  We are to follow Him with passion.  We should not gamble our salvation.  Work out our salvation with fear and trembling. 

We are saved by faith, but we will be rewarded by how we live, serve and follow Jesus.

Matthew 14: Who is Jesus? By Ho Kings Swee dated 26.6.16

Introduction

For the past several weeks, various speakers had preached on the Book of Ecclesiastes exploring the meaning of life.  If we do not have God, life is meaningless, according to Solomon, “chasing after the wind”.

This sermon is based on Matthew Chapter 14.

      1.       The Execution of John the Baptist (14:1-12)

John the Baptist was in prison. Prior to that Herod had been listening to him because he preached the truth. Herod dare not do anything to him because he was afraid of the crowds.

If you ask people who is Jesus? People may answer, he is a great teacher like any one of other faiths.  But no, He is the Son of God.  Do not be deceived.  It is a life long journey to know Him.  John the Baptist feared God, but Herod feared only man.  John the Baptist clearly prepared the way for Jesus, The Messiah.

Why Jesus did not save John? Why did he died young?  But these are God’s purposed not ours.  John fulfilled the purposes designed by God for preparing for the coming of Jesus.

      2.       Jesus withdrew to a deserted place ( 14:13-36)

             a)       Jesus fed the 5000 ( 4:13-21) – this was recorded in the four Gospels.

Jesus had compassion for the crowd.  He also felt for John in a human way.

Jesus is the one who provide all our needs – He has no needs.

Jesus prayed alone V.23 – Jesus prayed even though He has no need, therefore we must pray even more.  God instructed us to pray unceasingly.

Jesus walked on the water and Peter asked to join Him. Jesus called him to come to Him. But when he saw the winds, he was afraid and sank.  Peter was not fully settled/rested on the Lord. The storm did not cease, Jesus was holding on to Peter.

It is for us to pursue passionately who truly is Jesus.  We must keep coming to Jesus

and touch Him!

Application

Be passionate to know intimately who truly is Jesus.  It is not enough to know about Him, but to know Him intimately.  This is what we are supposed to do.